Math in Moscow - Moscow, Russia

The Independent
University of Moscow invites foreign students
(undergraduate or graduate students specializing in mathematics and/or
computer science) to spend a semester in Moscow in the framework of our
MATH in MOSCOW program.

The Moscow school of mathematics is generally regarded as one of the
leading ones in the world. Until recent years, the "Iron Curtain" and
the language barrier made contacts with Russian mathematicians rather
laborious. Today, many of its representatives teach at the best
universities of the USA, Canada, and Europe, either occupying full time
positions or on a part time basis. You can now gain from the expertise
of Moscow mathematicians without learning Russian: all courses in the
MATH in MOSCOW program are in English.

The main feature of the Russian tradition of teaching mathematics has
always been the development of a creative approach to studying
mathematics from the very outset. Not memorizing theorems and proofs,
but discovering mathematics yourself under the guidance of an
experienced teacher - this is our principle! We emphasize the in-depth
understanding of the material rather than its quantity. Even in our
treatment of the most traditional subjects, you will find significant
connections with contemporary research topics. Indeed, most of our
teachers are internationally recognized research mathematicians; all of
them have considerable teaching experience in English. We expect that
after the appropriate formalities are carried out, the courses taken in
Moscow will be credited your university for a BS, an MS, or a PhD
degree.

comfortable modern university building in Moscow's historic
center, with all the necessary facilities (library, e-mail, Internet,
copiers, inexpensive cafeteria on the premises);

credits transferable to North American universities;

small study groups, individual attention to all the students;

Russian language learning options;

you can take as many courses as you like;

modest tuition, low living expenses (students in the US and
Canada are eligible for an NSF and CMS&NSERC grant covering tuition and
most part of expenses).

Answered by Stephen McIntyre (Class of 05) about his semester in the
Math in Moscow program:Email:smcintyr@vt.edu

1. Did you participate in a home-stay? Would you recommend it to other
students?
No, I lived in the student dorms in the main Moscow State University
building. I would highly recommend anyone to live in either or with a
family or in the student dorms. With a family you will see the more
everyday routines (ie meal preparation, chores, living standards). But
sometimes the home-stays are not the typical family, and they might be
well-off. With student dorms, you can meet students of your own age and
be able to compare the similarities and difference between the cultures.
It will also make relating to each other easier because of common music
or movies tastes. Living with students you can experience more college
orientated events such as parties. You are also have a higher chance
doing something illegal or doing something you might regret later.

2. Was it hard for you to learn the language? Were there any resources
available to help you do so? What were some of the barriers that you
faced?
Learning the alphabet was the easiest part. The hardest was getting
into the mindset of thinking in a different language and being able to
devote time to practicing the language. A barrier I faced was that a
lot of people (especially students my age or younger) want to practice
their English. Going out and doing anything away from big tourist spots
was a great way to practice.

3. How did the mathematics courses in your program compare to those
available in the math department at Virginia Tech? What were some pros
and cons of how the course material was presented in your program?
The math courses varied drastically from VT. The professors offer very
little outside the classroom help but they did provide great in-class
discuss on problems. Classes were structured differently than what VT
offers. Instead of meeting 3 times a week for an hour each, it was one
3 hour class once week. The class was broken into a lecture and then a
problem session. Grades were, for the most part, solely dependent on
how well you did on the final and with little or no standard of grading.
For instance, student A correctly answered 5/10 problems and received an
A+ where student B might have only correctly answered 2/10 problems and
got an A-. I believe that professors are/were looking for understanding
of the material not how well you can memorize definitions.

4. How much more did it cost you to attend the program than it did to go
to Virginia Tech for a semester?
Rough break down of expenses:
Tuition and board: $4500
Plane ticket: $1000
Food per month: $50-100 (depends a lot on your preferences and how much
you like to eat out and drink :-P )

And then there are the gifts and extra expense such as travel, art
galleries, ballets, etc. There are a lot of ways to get cheap tickets.
If you are a students,
www.studentuniverse.com
offers some really good
deals. If you are flexible on when you arrive and leave,
www.travelocity.com
can have some superb deals but you must make sure
you have a place to stay when you get there and till you leave and if
you need to do anything extra (visa or registration).

5. What specifically would you recommend that I see or do while I am in
the program overseas?
EVERYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO THAT IS NOT RELATED
TO SCHOOL! Seriously, I have seen things, been places, and done things
that I never would have imagined. Go to as many art galleries, ballets,
operas, sports games, theater, hole in the wall restaurants you can.
You will experience what they do during their time. Most of European
countries place a high value on fine arts and tickets should be
relatively cheap ($1-10). Be smart though and aware of your
surroundings. I went to several football (soccer) games and was safe
because I blended in. Talk to local students about clubs, bars,
restaurants they attend.

6. What specific food did you enjoy the most?
I enjoyed almost everything.
I specifically enjoyed home cooked meals
and home made treats such as pickled mushrooms. I also enjoyed the
local beers and vodkas. Russian dishes were more meaty and salty but
Russians also have a very large sweet tooth. Russian chocolate is in
the category as Swiss or German chocolate (mostly because it was Germans
who started the confectionery plants in Russia). I loved eating caviar,
sausage, cheese, and pickled mushrooms when I was hanging out with
Russians.

7. Were the people friendly? Please describe some common characteristics
of the native population.
Most people are not friendly more towards foreigners (U.S. in specific).
Those that are typically wanted something. But there are some that were
friendly and wanted to help. Russian, especially the elderly, have a
'defend for themselves' attitude. In public this is seen the most.
Typically the hard exterior wears off when they are home with family or
eating with friends in restaurants.

8. What was the most startling difference between their culture and ours
in America?

9. Is there anything else that you would want interested students to
know about the program?